We’re interested in hearing Bill Goodykootz, the Arizona Republic’s smart and hardworking film critic, give his perspective on the Oscars. Here he is, talking about The Hurt Locker showing in general and the moving and historic wins of Christoph Waltz and Mo’Nique in particular:

It […] meant that two actors no one dreamed would be holding Oscars during last year’s show were among the winners. And, in the end, no matter what the show is like, how much producers talk about reinventing the broadcast, how many ways they try to make it different, that’s the only change that really matters.

Hard to argue with that. The Oscars continue to evolve. You can make the argument that the last few years have seen the top nominee slates grow ever-more daring and open-minded, culminating in the last three years, in which the top awards went to, arguably, the most adventurous films of their respective years. (No Country, Slumdog and now Hurt Locker.)

Well, the Republic’s editorial page would disagree.

Yes, the Arizona Republic’s editorial page discussed the Oscars this a.m.

The page was quite peeved. You’re not going to be able to guess about what:

[Y]ou would think one would have shined a light on the fact that poor, heroic Farrah Fawcett was not included in the annual memorial of deceased movie people.

And, while we’re at it: What of Bea Arthur? And Ed McMahon? Despite mostly TV and live theater legacies, all three have film credits.

Bea Arthur and Ed McMahon!

You kind of get the feeling Arizona Republic editorial writers sit around at night and watch a lot of infomercials.